Greeley man still in critical condition after being hit by two cars Thursday morning

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A day after a former University of Northern Colorado student sustained major trauma to his head stemming from a Thursday morning crash near campus, school officials are again warning people to take caution when commuting — by foot or vehicle — near campus.

Police were called at 2:31 a.m. Thursday morning to the area of 8th Avenue and 21st Street on a report of a man who had been hit by two vehicles, authorities said previously. Emergency crews responded and found Zachary Ferguson, 24, of Greeley, laying in the southbound lanes of 8th Avenue with severe head trauma as well as multiple broken bones.

Ferguson, who was last enrolled in UNC in the spring of 2012 as a freshman physics major, was transported to North Colorado Medical Center. He was transferred later to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver, where he remained in critical condition Friday afternoon.

Along that stretch of 8th Avenue, there are stoplights and crosswalks at the intersections of 18th, 20th and 22nd streets. The area is predominately lined with single-story homes for students, and records show he previously lived in the area where he was hit.

The university is just one block to the west. UNC police routinely remind students to be vigilant while walking along the busy road at all hours of the day and night.

Officials recently sent an email to students urging them to exercise extreme caution and make sure they are not distracted while traveling around campus, said Nate Haas, UNC spokesman.

The driver of the first vehicle, 21-year-old Natasha Grimaldo, admitted to police that she drank two glasses of wine before getting behind the wheel of her Toyota Corolla. Grimaldo — a junior at UNC — is being held on a $40,000 bond at the Weld County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular assault.

The other driver did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol and was not arrested.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who may have additional information is urged to contact Greeley police by calling (970) 350-9600 and telling the dispatcher they have information about the case.